ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Power
REC Limited closes US$75million SOFR linked Term Loan with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation 
In a first for any NBFC in India, REC Limited has successfully raised a USD 75 million, 5-year Secured Overnight Financing Rate  linked Syndicated Term Loan on October 7, 2021, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation , Singapore Branch appointed as the sole Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner. Along with the loan, REC has also entered into interest rate swap referencing SOFR to hedge the interest rate risk on this facility, which is the first such deal by any Corporate in India.
The proceeds from this facility shall be utilized to fund infrastructure power sector projects as permitted under the ECB guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India.
Commenting on the successful closure of the USD Term Loan, Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, Chairman and Managing Director of REC, said, “With the imminent cessation of LIBOR and following the notification from the Reserve Bank of India on roadmap for LIBOR Transition, we are very happy to raise this SOFR linked Term Loan Facility, which is also the first one by any NBFC in India. The experience gained from the process will enable REC in USD LIBOR transition to SOFR for our existing term loans in a better manner.”
About REC Limited: REC Limited is a Navratna NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. Established in 1969, REC Limited has completed over fifty years in the area of its operations. It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities. Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain; different type of projects includes Generation, Transmission, Distribution Projects, and Renewable Energy projects.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Commerce and Industry Minister reviews action plan to achieve Rs. One Lakh Crore GMV on GeM in FY 2019-20
Ease of registration and greater transparency key to on board more buyers and sellers: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Piyush Goyal, last evening, chaired a meeting to review and formulate an action plan for Government e Marketplace  to achieve a target for Rs. lakh crore Gross Merchandise Volume  on GeM in FY 2019-20.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Som Parkash also attended the meeting. Chairman, Railway Board and Secretaries of Departments of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , Commerce and Director General of Foreign Trade  and Secretaries of Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Housing and Urban Affairs, New & Renewable Energy and Power also participated in the meeting to explore various possibilities of bringing on board more Government of India Ministries/ Departments, PSUs under Ministries and State Governments on the GeM platform.
Commerce & Industry Minister appreciated the transformation in public procurement driven through GeM platform. He directed the officers to maximize the use of GeM to ensure transparency and saving in procurements. He said that the procedure for using the GeM platform has to be made more simple, less time consuming and attractive so that more and more vendors, especially from the MSME sector, come on board. Ease of getting registered on the GeM platform has to be ensured so that public sector banks, PSUs, Ministries and Departments of the State Governments and local bodies at the district level are able to procure from GeM easily and smoothly.
Piyush Goyal urged GeM officers to work proactively with all the Ministries and State Governments and hand hold them to show that GeM is beneficial for them. Greater transparency and quality of products must be ensured on the platform in order to get the Railways, Defence, Telecom and PSUs like Oil, Power, Heavy Industry to place orders of more than one lakh crore through the GeM platform, said the Minister.
Possibilities may also be explored for incentivizing Ministries and States who procure more products and services from GeM. During the review meeting Commerce and Industry Minister also examined the possibility of DGFT to provide the services of their staff in regional centres all over the country to promote GeM and increase the procurement through GeM in their areas.
During the review meeting Commerce & Industry Minister also discussed ways with the Secretaries, who were present, of bringing in external technical experts for specialized products required by railways, Oil PSUs, health sector etc., so that more categories are created in GeM in shortest time and complaints about substandard material is completely eliminated.
Commerce & Industry Minister requested all Ministries and Departments of Government of India to nominate a Joint Secretary level officer to coordinate with GeM and to identify more products and services that may be procured through the GeM platform.
Click here to see PPTs of GeM
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur visits SAI’s Patiala and Sonipat Centres, inaugurates multiple infrastructure projects worth 85 crores
Athletes training at this prestigious centre will have improved lodging facilities: Shri Anurag Thakur
Key Highlights:
- The construction cost of the new 300 bedded Hostel is Rs. 26.77 Cr
- The minister also inaugurated hostels dedicated to India’s legendary hockey player Major Dhyanchand and sprinter PT Usha, which have been renovated and upgraded at a total cost of 5.25 crore
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur on Saturday visited Sports Authority of India’s  Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports  in Patiala and inaugurated a new 300 bedded Hostel which has cost Rs. 26.77 Cr in construction.
The ministers also inaugurated hostels dedicated to India’s legendary hockey player Major Dhyanchand and sprinter PT Usha, which have been renovated and upgraded at a total cost of 5.25 crore.
Speaking during the inauguration Shri Thakur said, "It is the endeavour of the government to provide the best possible facilities to athletes. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has always harped on the importance of keeping athletes at the centre of all policies. The launching of this 300 bedded hostel and the upgradation of the old hostels is yet another step in this direction so that athletes training at this prestigious centre have improved lodging facilities."
Shri Thakur also inaugurated a Sports Performance Analysis course, a first-time addition to the academic courses at NSNIS Patiala. While interacting with the first batch of students of this course, Shri. Thakur said, "Inclusion of sports science and sports performance analysis is very important to assess the actual potential of an athlete, which can go a long way in improving the overall performance of India in international competitions."
During their visit, the minister also interacted with over 400 athletes and trainees and motivated them to continue focusing on sports and to make the country proud. He sought inputs from athletes about the facilities available to them at the centre and improvements that they want in the current set up.
Over the years SAI Patiala has produced many well-known athletes who have gone on to win many laurels for the country, including World Championships and Olympic medals.
In the year 2021, SAI Patiala athletes won a total of 72 medals across six disciplines at National Level Competitions. In the year 2022, this tally increased to 195 medals.
On the International level, SAI Patiala athletes won 19 medals in competitions such as Commonwealth Championships, European Open & Junior World Championships among others.
Later in the day, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur along with Minster of State, Shri Nisith Pramanik visited Sports Authority of India’s  National Regional Centre  in Sonipat and the laid foundation stone for the new Integrated High-Performance Centre  which will cost approximately Rs. 48 Cr.
During their visits, the ministers also inaugurated the new refurbished synthetic Hockey Field, which has cost approximately Rs 5 Cr to refurbish and upgraded.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Inadequate Number of Forensic Science Laboratories
Disposal of case depends on several factors such as category of the case , complexity of the facts involved, nature of evidence and co-operation of the stakeholder. 'Police' and 'Public order' are State subjects under the Seventh schedule to the Constitution of India including strengthening of State Forensic Science Laboratories.
However, in order to assist strengthening in State Forensic Science Laboratories, Ministry of Home Affairs  has taken the following initiatives:
 Projects approved for strengthening DNA analysis, Cyber-forensics and related facilities in 16 States/UT at a total cost of Rs.157.98 crore under Nirbhaya Fund.
 Total of Rs.195.97 crore has been approved to the States for strengthening Forensic Science Laboratories in financial years 2019-2021under the scheme for Modernization of Police Forces.
 To ensure quality and standardization in forensic examination, the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, MHA, has issued the following guidelines:
- Quality Manuals for accreditation of laboratories as per NABL standards  and Working Procedure Manuals in nine disciplines of Forensic Sciences.
- Quality Manuals and Working Procedure Manuals for Biology and DNA Division.
- Guidelines for collection, preservation & transportation of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases for Investigation Officers and medical Officers. More than 15000 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection kits have been distributed to the States/UTs to ensure that evidence is collected and stored in proper manner.
- Standard list of Equipment for establishing/upgrading of Forensic Sciences Laboratories.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Communications
Extension of last date to receive comments & counter comments on TRAI consultation paper on “Review of Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable services”
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  had released a consultation paper on “Review of Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable services” on 08th August 2023. The last date of receiving comments from the stakeholders on the issues raised in the consultation paper was fixed as 05th September 2023 and counter-comments as 19th September 2023.
Keeping in view the requests received from the stakeholders for extension of time for submission of comments on the above-mentioned consultation paper, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of comments and counter-comments up to 19th September 2023 and 3rd October 2023 respectively.
The comments and counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form, on the email ID advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-1@trai.gov.in.
For any clarification/information, Shri Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, Advisor  may be contacted at Tel. No. +91-11-23237922.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Kumbh at Prayagraj Tomorrow
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will pay visit to Kumbh at Prayagraj tomorrow.At Kumbh, he will participate in the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar event, organized by Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
The Prime Minister will distribute the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar awards to Safai Karmacharis, Swachhagrahis, Police Personnel and Naviks.There will also be the digital announcement of Swachh Seva Samman Benefits package.
PM will later address the gathering.
Prime Minister will take a snaan at Triveni Sangam. He will also interact with Safai Karmacharis at Prayagraj.
Cleanliness and Swacch Bharat initiatives were given unprecedented focus in Kumbh organized at Prayagraj this year. The Prime Minister by presenting the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhar awards will honour those who have played a vital role in ensuring a Swachh Kumbh.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince in Riyadh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with His Royal Highness Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Several energy related issues were discussed during the meeting to add even more energy to the India-Saudi Arabia friendship. PM said that energy remains an important pillar of our ties.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Hospitals under Pradhan Mantriswasthya Suraksha Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana  aims at correcting the imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare facilities in different parts of the country in general, and augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the under-served States in particular. PMSSY, a Central Sector Scheme has two components-setting up of AIIMS-like Institutions and upgradation of existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions in a phased manner.
Under PMSSY, four  existing Government Medical Colleges in Rajasthan have been taken up for up-gradation. Details of these projects and fund released for these Projects is given below:
Details of Projects under PMSSY in Rajasthan
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S. No.
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Projects under PMSSY in Rajasthan
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Phase
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Approved Outlay for the Project
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Central Share Released

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1
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Upgradation of SP Medical College, Bikaner
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Phase-III
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Rs. 150 crore

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104.65
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2
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Upgradation ofGovernment Medical College, Kota
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Phase-III
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Rs. 150 crore

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91.38
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3
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Upgradation of RNT Medical College, Udaipur
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Phase-III
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Rs. 159crore

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101.68
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4
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|
Upgradation of Government Medical College, Jaipur
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Phase-IV
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|
Rs. 200crore

|
|
82.43
Apart from above, AIIMS Jodhpur has been set up under PMSSY at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 820 Crore.
For administrative and running expenses, the details of fund released till date for AIIMS Jodhpur is given below:
- Grants in Aid  – Rs. 438.78 Crore
- Grants in Aid  – Rs. 462.10 Crore
- Grants in Aid  – Rs. 474.93 Crore
The Minister of State , Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Special Service and Features
Inauguration of Amrit Tower and Zero Liquid Discharge Plant at Cochin Special Economic Zone
Cochin: June 6, 2022
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today inaugurated a modern office space to encourage budding entrepreneurs in Cochin Special Economic Zone. To commemorate the 75th year of independence, the building has been named "AMRIT TOWER". The purpose is to create an ecosystem to facilitate the next wave of budding entrepreneurs in the emerging technology sectors.
The Union Minister also inaugurated the Zero Liquid Discharge System Plant at Cochin Special Economic Zone, Kakkanad, to promote the concept of Green SEZ and Sustainable Industrialization. The 1 MLD Zero Liquid Discharge System Plant ensures no discharge of treated effluent outside the SEZ. It treats industrial effluents and ensures the conservation of water true to the CSEZ motto of ‘reuse and recycle’.
The Minister also had an interaction with industry stakeholders. Shri D.V. Swamy, Development Commissioner, Shri K. K. Pillai, President, CEPZ Industries Association and senior officials of the Department of Commerce attended the function. Shri Siby, who oversaw the construction of the building and Shri Niranjan, MD, Lormine Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the first entrepreneur to occupy the building, participated in the inauguration.
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Idea Database
The Department has commenced the work for creating various agricultural services built around a core layer of Farmers’ Database  in the country. In order to create Agristack, the department is in the process of finalising the “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture ” which lays down a framework for building Agristacks. This Ecosystem shall help the Government in effective planning towards increasing the income of farmers in particular and improving the efficiency of the Agriculture sector, as a whole. As a first step, in this direction, the Government has already initiated building federated farmers’ database that would serve as the core of the envisaged Agristack. The federated farmers’ database is being built by taking the publicly available data as existing in the Department and in various data silos in Government and linking them with the digitised land records. The issue of data protection / data privacy etc. in the Agristack are being deliberated and hence, as of now, no decision has been taken regarding the mandatory enrolment of farmers in the Database.
At present, proposed farmers’ database will include the farmers registered under the PM-Kisan Scheme.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Finance Commission
Finance Commission receives presentation on the Health Sector
The 15th Finance Commission today received a presentation on India’s Health Sector. The presentation was given by Smt. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare and Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NitiAayog in a meeting held in New Delhi today. Chairman, Sh. N.K. Singh and all Members of the Commission were present at this meeting along with senior officials.
The Department of Health & Family Welfare proposed to the 15th Finance Commission for untied funds to help in funding gaps in Primary Health care in the States. This, they said, would help States with significant funding needs and health lag to get more funds and priorities spending on health.
The Ministry also asked for performance based incentives – a Composite Health Index to be utilized to encourage States to demonstrate performance on year on year basis. The Ministry proposed a collaborative multi-sectoral non-ministerial approach by incorporating health impact considerations into the Government’s decision making process – Health in All Policies.
The Ministry projected the requirement of funds for a primary care for the purpose of addressing shortfall in infrastructure, health care professionals, supporting AB-HWCs, National Ambulance Service, and Funds for Medicines and Diagnostics. For a 5 year period, total of Rs.5,38,305.38/- crores fund has been projected.
In the light of the discussions today the Commission has asked the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in consultation with Member, NitiAayog, Dr. V.K. Paul to come up with revised proposals on the optimum utilization of finances in respect of sectors specific grants.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Men’s National Hockey Camp to conclude a week earlier on December 12
The men’s national hockey camp that is currently underway in SAI Bengaluru will conclude on December 12, instead of the original date of conclusion i.e. December 18 on the recommendation of the Chief coach of Men's Senior Hockey team.
After four months of continuous camp, it would give the athletes a longer break of three weeks, from December 12, 2020 to January 5, 2021. During this three week break, a comprehensive strength and conditioning program will be given to the athletes by the Chief Coach and the Scientific Advisor of the Men’s Senior Team to complete.
The Indian men’s hockey team have been training at the SAI Bengaluru Centre since August this year, as sports began to resume in a phased manner after the nationwide lockdown was imposed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team has already qualified for the Olympics scheduled next year.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Nation-wide Campaign for Promotion of Digital Life Certificate
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India has launched a Nation-wide Campaign for Promotion of Digital Life Certificate for Central Government pensioners. In November 2021, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State  had launched the milestone Face Authentication Technique of submitting Life Certificate through any Android Mobile Phone. Now the Department is launching a special nation- wide campaign for promoting the Life certificate through Digital mode and popularizes the Face Authentication technique.
All the registered Pensioners Associations, Pension Disbursing Banks, Ministries of Government of India and CGHS Wellness Centres have been directed to promote the Digital Life Certificate/Face Authentication Technique for submitting Life Certificate by organising special camps for ‘Ease of Living’ of pensioners.
In this series, a Central Government team led by Ms. Deborah Umesh , Sh. Andrew Zomawia Karthak,  and Ms. Tanya Rajput  from Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare shall be visiting R.K.Puram Branch headed by AGM, Sector-1, R.K. Puram in Delhi where this campaign shall be organized on 11th November, 2022 and Sector 2, Noida where this campaign shall be organised on 12th November, 2022 for Central Government pensioners in the premises of State Bank of India. All pensioners can visit the Centre for submitting their Life Certificates through Digital means.
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SNC/RR
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President's Secretariat
President of India pays floral tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid floral tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
The President, family members of Dr Rajendra Prasad as well as officers and staff of the President’s Secretariat, paid floral tributes before a portrait of Dr Rajendra Prasad in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘6.18% GS 2024’, Auction for Sale  of ‘7.57% GS 2033’, Auction for Sale  of ‘7.69% GS 2043’, and Auction for Sale  of ‘7.72% GS 2049’.
The Government of India has announced the Sale  of  ‘6.18 per cent Government Stock, 2024’ for a notified amount of Rs 4,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘7.57 per cent Government Stock, 2033’ for a notified amount of Rs 6,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘7.69 per cent Government Stock, 2043’ for a notified amount of Rs 2,000 crore  through price based auction, and  ‘7.72 per cent Government Stock, 2049’ for a notified amount of Rs 4,000 crore  through price based auction. Subject to the limit of Rs 16,000 crore, being total notified amount, GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 1,000 crore each against any one or more of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted using multiple price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on December 13, 2019 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on December 13, 2019. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon and the competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30 a.m. and
12.30 p.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on December 13, 2019  and payment by successful bidders will be on December 16, 2019 .
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.